My mind on my health and my health on my mind
Last year, I lost about 15 pounds after a lot of hard work in the gym. I had tons of stamina, was able to sleep 100x better, fit into more clothes…it was FAB. However, I cut way back on exercise in 2009. At the rate I was going, I simply could not sustain it long term. Plus, I didn’t pay close attention to my diet this year. It’s not that I paid no attention or went crazy with my food choices, I just didn’t monitor it like I had been in ‘08. Anyway, the long and short of it is that all the weight came back and I feel out-of-shape once again.
I think my trouble is finding balance in maintenance. When it comes to getting healthy, I’m all in. Once I achieve my goals, I try to get to a balanced place with my food intake and realistic exercise intervals. But this is where I fail. Don’t get me wrong, weight loss isn’t my primary goal. I really only should lose about 20-25 pounds from where I am now. My main objective is to not feel like crap! I want to run up a flight of stairs without feeling completely out of breath, or hike into the woods to take photos without feeling exhausted. I need to feel good physically to combat stress, period. Being a size 8 versus a size 12 is only a bonus.
So I guess I’m starting over. It’s always a challenge to get rid of the pounds, but my bigger challenge will be to keep up a good balance of diet and exercise. In 2008, I learned a lot about exercise: what I like, what I don’t, how not to hurt myself, how to combine cardio with weight-training and a lot more. I’m confident that I can find balance in the exercise department with a little work. I’m worried about my diet though. I love sugar&butter&cheese&carbs-ohmy! Not only that, but I’m a horrible cook. When it falls to me to “make a meal” for myself, I prepare whatever’s easy: popcorn, mac & cheese, cheese & crackers, etc. Adam has taken most of the responsibility for cooking (which is awesome because he’s so good at it!) but I need to have more of that role so that I’m prepared for times when I’m by myself. Maybe, at age 33, I can finally learn how to cook/prepare something healthy and tasty…without burning my meal, myself or my house. It’s a good thing we have insurance.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I’ve gotten to a point where I’m not unhappy with my weight, but am still s-l-o-w-l-y working my way down, pounds-wise. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve only lost about 10 pounds (with a summertime 5lb gain/loss in the middle there) by making small changes. I don’t have the cake at the office get togethers, I don’t have that last glass of wine, I hold the mayo. I’ve been trying to start with little things, then when they become habit, then I’ll add another little thing.
Start small, do the things you know now, then add new things as you go alone. You can do it, girlfriend!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Thanks for the tips!
October 15th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Balance is the key my friend. As far as exercise, do the things you like to do. I go to spin classes and step aerobics classes because I like them, and I’ve made friends at the gym that keep me in check!
October 16th, 2009 at 5:02 am
You’re totally right about finding things you like to do. If I force myself to do something (like running – YUCK!), it doesn’t last long. I’d actually really like to try a spin class sometime.